Archive for the 'Anime' Category

On instinct, I picked up a copy of the first volume of Rozen Maiden, covering the first four episodes. I’d forgotten that this was actually a really good show and that I liked the background music in this show. And that I actually liked Hinaichigo, though my favorite dolls are still Shinku, Suigintou, and Suiseiseki… I can’t believe I actually admitted that (Gaaaa, flashback to childhood).

I felt that way with my first Star Trek convention. Some of those folks make Haruhi fans look tame.

This episode went from good to bad to thankfully really enjoyable. As funny as he is, I’m getting tired of Konata’s dad (but he’s not what I’m talking about at all). Maybe I’m seeing some shadow of myself, you know that whole “projection” thing that psychologists sometimes talk about. It’d be great to see him and Kagami and Tsukasa’s dad hang out. The whole convention segment was great, but having the same actor voice the extras sort of dampened the enjoyment factor. Thankfully Tsukasa’s predictable first-timer eagerness was pretty adorable. And then we came to the scene that killed the mood for me.

Alright, I succumbed and ordered the collector’s edition of the Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya. Once you get past the brain cell killing fumes that escape when you open the box (after comparing those fumes to that of a Sharpie, I prefer the Sharpie), it’s just like what you’d expect of a collector’s box. Lot’s of images covering the box, a little bit of a struggle to get the CD out of it’s own box and the DVD itself was fine. Haruhi’s headband was promptly discarded and promptly chewed upon by a cat.

I really hate it when I don’t write down any notes about a show. The remaining little gray cells are over taxed as it is. I still think they should drop the Lucky Channel segment and give us more Miyuki. Spin off the Lucky Channel into it’s own series and give us a behind the scenes with an idol show. Something akin to Extras. That would be fun to see.

Not much to say about these last few episodes other than they’ve really made Tsukasa stand out to me. She’s also had the best facial expressions of the show so far. Watching her dealing with her cell phone in episode 7 was funny. Watching her focus hard on her footing for the hurdle jump and then run the race had me laughing hard. And Konata’s reaction to her when she talked about considering Konata’s chocolate cornet as a dessert. Konata’s reaction shows a real mean streak which was something I unconsciously felt that she had. Yeah sure, Konata’s a free spirit, but show her up in front of other people, well let’s just say that little miss stabby comes out. Then there’s Tsuakasa’s expressions in episode 9 when she tells us that she isn’t having fun. They just brought the humor of the show up to a higher level. And vaulted Tsukasa so far ahead of Konata on my favorites list that there’s no hope for Konata at all. Of course, no one will ever come close to Kagami’s level.

Well, this show was a surprisingly enjoyable one. More humorous than laugh out loud funny, it was a very well done show. It shouldn’t be surprising, really. All of the characters are likable. Even the secondary charaacters like Takako, the slacker teacher and the school’s principal. I think this easily ranks up there as one of my favorites and one that I gets licensed over here.

Why is it that nearly every beautiful/scenic underwater scene seems to always have some Enya/Clannad-like background music? I’m glad to say that I won my first debate about this show. Granted, I’ll be paying a lot for that win in my personal life, but a win is a win. And oh, how I’ll pay - I’ve already been warned. The tendency in the badger’s den, (by certain non-anime viewer who usually derides such entertainment only to watch vapid singing contests…and the occasional animes about high school girls) is to compare this show with Azumanga Daioh. Especially with the trip to the beach from both shows. Take the speed demon of both shows - Yukari from Azumanga and Yui from Luck Star. One is an utter self-centered psychotic and the other isn’t. Then look at their driving skills, Yukari’s car reminded me of an episode of Top Gear where Jeremy Clarkson drives a Toyota pick-up around Brighton, trying to the destroy the truck. Instead, he nearly destroys Brighton (I hope my truck is just as durable). Yui, well, I’d love to see what she can do in the Mach Five. Then there’s Nanoka, whose a little like Yukari, with a “Party on” attitude…minus Yukari’s tendencies to endanger those around her like that of a Hayward bus driver’s “The next stop is the last stop…and I’m taking you all with me because I’ve finally snapped” glare.